Welcome to Florida: Part 1 {Trip Report}

Last month we got packed up the kids and headed down to North Florida for a long weekend to visit one of our favorite families.  We hadn't been to their house in over four years, so our visit was long overdue.  

The day we arrived was perfect...the kids played in their backyard while getting reacquainted, the mom's prepared dinner with a glass of wine and the dad's caught up by the fire.

Bounce House pictured was not for us, it was a hopping kids party at the house behind our friends

We packed up the next morning and hit up the much anticipated Alligator Farm in St. Augustine.  We visited the alligators during our first trip back in 2006.  

Florida 2006

Billy has been dying to get be here ever since...besides two kids, not much has changed, right?

The alligator farm is a great place to visit for kids and parents...they sell beer folks, so your sanity will be kept.  The kids loved just walking around and taking it all in. 

We took a little break at the playground and were trying to get Lauren and Christopher to do the monkey bars.  To motivate the kids and prove I still had it...I also participated:)  The best part was that not one kid was using it, but once a few adults tried it out there was a line up of little ones!

I love this picture of Alex, he was such a sweetie and always ready to smile for my camera!

William became fast friends with their boys, the day we got home he was telling me how much he already missed them.  And getting to see Christopher and Alex again at his party last week meant so much to him.

To top the whole experience off...this happened!

Christopher's face says it all and boy was he brave.  

Alex and William's faces are priceless.

We enjoyed a fun lunch afterward with perfect weather and delicious cocktails!  The perfect start to our long weekend.

XOXO

Aubrey

Picture Perfect

There is so much anticipation and expectations that come with planning a vacation.   I research things to do and restaurants, but there is also significant time spent packing our families, planning outfits, even contingency plans for rainy days.  

Everyone wants to have a great vacation...When I was 18 years old my mom took us on a trip to Washington DC and I was acting like a complete brat and being a pain in her a$$ that she drove me to the airport and put me on a plane home.  Yes, that happened.  Even my laid back mother didn't want her vacation spoiled.  There is money saved, precious work vacation days are being used and it's usually much needed family time together too that has me wanting it to be the best it can be.

But since becoming a mom there are a lot less expectations.  They are still there, but in a different way.  Of course we want perfect weather, a chance to relax, and maybe get a good family picture (maybe not on your list, but high on mine).  There are also a few simple things I look forward to like not having to cook or clean.  And thankfully expectations have been lowered because children are unpredictable, toddlers are temperamental, and meltdowns are going to happen home or away. We were certain that while strapping a flailing and crying William into the car one night that someone was ready to call 911 for child abduction.

There were moments of feeling like the trip was simply just a change of scenery and times where tempers were short and patience exhausted from some disappointing news.  But perspective usually intervenes and you realize just how lucky you are to even be where you are.  Kids are going to be kids, things will be out of my control, but you gotta just hope the next hour will be better.

But some expectations were pleasantly exceeded.  Vacation Lauren was a complete surprise.  I couldn't have planned for the polite, patient, and oh so grown up daughter.  She was also more than willing to to smile for the camera almost 99% of the time...huge bonus for this mama!

There is no perfect trip, and we've learned to take the good with the bad.  And as time passes, you usually forget about the little things that created a few glitches in the trip and in the end it's the picture perfect memories that remain.  

All of the pictures were taken at Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert, Arizona.  It was our best meal and a great place for the kids to run around after and snap a few pictures!

XOXO

Aubrey

Phoenix: Part 2 {Trip Report}

Our stay in Phoenix was at two different resorts.  Our first night was at a JW Marriott and while it was very nice, it was a little fast paced for what we were looking for.  Basically, Spring Break Tween Central.  The second hotel was exactly what we were looking for.  Most of the time the pool looked just like this!

Other kids came and became their swim partners, but they were content playing with each other.

Our days started early and were spent at the pool.  We suggested a hike, but they were content swimming.  We were able to eat lunch poolside and a cooler was packed daily with adult beverages as well.  

Aside from sushi for Easter dinner, we picked what we thought the kids would enjoy as much as us.  Everyone loves Mexican!

The Old Town Tortilla Factory in Scottsdale was an excellent choice...Thank you Kristi!

Before this iphone shot, I think there were fifty plus shots taken on my camera of the kids and I.  All were complete fails, and not even just someone not smiling...heads turned, me trying to direct Billy, and William freaking the freak out because I won't give him the candy I promised until AFTER we take the picture.  Ok, ok...moving on.

We ended the night in historic Old Town Scottsdale for some ice cream.

And lucky for us...a little skeeball too!

Several people mentioned a train park we needed to visit, and since Wills loves trains we  made the stop!  What a great place for kids.  

Not only was there the train ride, but a caraousel and a few playgrounds with great climbers.

We rounded out the night with our first In-N-Out Burger!  I got a few laughs when I asked for a picture, for which I replied "we're not from around here."

Quite the savings that night at $14 out the door!

We've been having awful weather here...I so wish I was sleeping in the sun right now!

XOXO

Aubrey

Phoenix: Part 1 {Trip Report}

Hello Friends!

I took an extended blogging break last week, we packed our bags and the family spent part of our Spring Break in Phoenix, Arizona.  I had intentions of posting while we were gone, but one thing lead to another and I just didn't want to be inside typing when I could be outside soaking up rays.  But I'm here today with part of our trip report.  

The flight was long but Lauren and William were much better than they were in December.  Upgrading William to his own seat sure did help!  Upon arriving to the hotel, we quickly exchanged our long pants for swimsuits and raced to the pool.  

Despite the temperature reading 85 degrees, the clouds were heavy which made for freezing temps in the pool.  Lips became blue so we headed for a quick nature walk before cleaning up for dinner.  Just outside our room were botanical gardens with a family of rabbits playing hide and seek with kids.

Dinner was uneventful and quick.  The kids were fading quickly and uninterested in being anywhere except bed.  Pinnacle Peak Patio was perfectly casual, with good beer and fast service.  

With all the packing and preparation for the trip, I decided Easter baskets would take a backseat.  Bubbles and a few chocolates would be enough...oh and a TRIP, not that they would understand that:)  This sad excuse for an Easter basket got just as big of a reaction, go figure.

But to make it even better, the hotel put on an amazing and free Easter egg hunt...

Complete with Mrs. Easter bunny.  Kinda creepy, right?

The kids had a blast and  the kids were separated into their appropriate age groups to keep things fair.  Except notice the kid in the blue gingham shirt below...

And spotted again here...what a little cheater;)

It was a great way to celebrate Easter morning, because our dinner at sushi restaurant didn't go over real well.

XOXO

Aubrey

New Mexico Recap

Our travel day started early and included a plane change.  We did our best to keep them quietly entertained but whining happened and Wills had crazy man strength when he wanted out of his seat.  But when they were quiet, we could exhale and relax for a second.

We were so happy once we were settled into the hotel and were greeted by Aunt Cara!  

The adults enjoyed a much needed happy hour before heading out.

Contrary to popular belief, it was not sunny and warm in Albuquerque.  We left one cold climate for another, but decided to brave the cold for a popular holiday destination called The River of Lights near the Rio Grande.

 The kids loved it!  We walked through gardens to see a display of anything you can think of decorated in lights!  There were model trains on display, carolers, and a maze.

We didn't last long.  It was colder than our Floridian relatives bargained for:)

On Friday morning, we headed toward the mountains to the city of Madrid.  A former ghost town turned artists colony.  It was basically a tiny stretch of shops with unique gifts and treasures for sale, and we also stumbled upon this.

Don't mind if we do!

I've seen one or two of these at a tourist location, but an entire park?  Fun!

We then stopped for a drink and bite to eat at the Mine Shaft Tavern.  A great find!

It was a great adventure that went a little wrong.  Out of nowhere, Wills puked in the car.  I skip the gory details, but it was bad and at first we thought it was maybe motion sickness, but it really was a stomach bug.  We ended up missing the rehearsal dinner and I got sick later that night.  We both rallied for the wedding which was the most important part, but sicknesses lingered and it just isn't how you want to spend your family vacation, especially an important family wedding.

(silver lining: Wills is shirtless but upon cleaning him off we spotted an alpaca.  Don't worry, there's a fence)

Post wedding we spent the afternoon at Ken's sisters house.  It was an amazing home and had a beautiful view of the mountains.

Lauren and William were in their glory with the playscape and other kids.

(yep, he's in pajamas and the new coat we were forced to buy)

Friendships were made all around and we hope we'll see them all again.

Especially with the way these two hit it off.  Ken's daughter, Olivia is six years old and was so sweet to Lauren.  They were fast friends and it was hard for Lauren to say goodbye.

XOXO

Aubrey